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16

Children and families practitioner jobs in Manchester

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IPSEA, Remote
£40,000 - £45,000 per year
Posted 1 day ago
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, Manchester (Hybrid)
£35,000 pa + Company Car (with an approx. retail value of £23,000-26,000, taxable benefit in kind of £6-£8k) and other excellent benefits
Posted 1 day ago
Closing in 6 days
NYAS, Remote
£21,920 - £24,120 per year
Seeking an experienced and compassionate Senior Practitioner to join Project Unity England, working 28 hours per week.
Posted 6 days ago

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Closing in 3 days
Greater Manchester Youth Federation, Manchester (On-site)
Grade 5 Point 12-19 [£26,978-£30,245] - Full Time, 35hrs
The Youth Work Co-ordinator plays a key role in the day-to-day delivery of high-quality youth work within the centre and the wider community
Posted 1 week ago
Scotty's - the military bereavement charity., Remote
£32,000 - £36,000 per year (dependent on experience)
Help bereaved military families rebuild after loss as Scotty’s Bereavement Counsellor, delivering compassionate support.
Posted 1 week ago
Closing in 4 days
National Childbirth Trust, Remote
£15,600-£20,800 depending on days a week (£26,000 FTE)
Posted 1 week ago Apply Now
Closing in 3 days
MS Society UK, SK1, Stockport (On-site)
£25,258 per annum, plus excellent benefits
Posted 1 week ago
Page 1 of 2
Remote
£40,000 - £45,000 per year
Full-time or part-time (Full-time (35 hours per week) or Part-time (minimum 28 hours per week considered))
Permanent
Job description

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

  • 5% employer pension contributions
  • Healthcare cash plan
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Application resources
Organisation
IPSEA View profile Organisation type Registered Charity Company size 21 - 50

We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law

1750237144737.jpgIPSEA.jpg
Refreshed on: 06 August 2026
Closing date: 06 September 2026 at 23:30
Tags: Campaigns, Policy, Legal / Law, Autism, Education, Learning Disability, Politics, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Research, Youth / Children

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.